Bill > HR7738

This bill, titled the "Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026," aims to increase transparency and accountability in government surveillance by establishing new rules for criminal surveillance orders, which are defined broadly to include various types of court orders authorizing surveillance or data collection. Key provisions include requiring that targets of these orders eventually receive notice, reforming the use of non-disclosure orders that prevent providers from informing customers about government requests for their information, and prohibiting the indefinite sealing of these surveillance orders and related documents. The bill also mandates that public dockets for criminal surveillance cases be made available as open data, detailing information like the type of order, duration, and investigating agency, while allowing for limited redactions to prevent specific harms. Furthermore, it introduces reporting requirements for judges and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to track the issuance and denial of surveillance orders and extensions, and provides grants to state and tribal courts to help them implement these new transparency measures.